KR102374904B1 - Improved indirect bonding method of orthodontic bracket - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of producing a positioning guide for an orthodontic bracket is provided. The method comprises the steps of determining and fixing a position of an orthodontic bracket with respect to a side of a corresponding tooth of a set-up dental model, wherein the set-up dental model represents the dentition state of the patient's dental arch after orthodontic treatment; ; forming a rigid guide structure having a first portion covering an outer surface of each orthodontic bracket and a second portion covering an occlusal surface of a corresponding tooth; connecting the first and second portions of the rigid guide structure to form a flexible linking structure for obtaining a positioning guide for the corresponding orthodontic bracket, the rigid guide structure comprising: It is not flexible, and the flexible connecting structure is resilient and retains its shape.

Description

Indirect bonding method of orthodontic brackets {IMPROVED INDIRECT BONDING METHOD OF ORTHODONTIC BRACKET}

Cross-referencing of related applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/788,232, filed January 4, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

field of invention

The present application relates to a method for indirect bonding of orthodontic brackets, and more particularly, to a method for producing a positioning guide used for bonding orthodontic brackets to respective teeth of a patient.

In orthodontic treatment, orthodontic brackets are usually individually bonded to each tooth, and an orthodontic archwire disposed adjacent to the lower or upper arch connects the orthodontic bracket to the orthodontic arch to provide orthodontic treatment. By inducing force on the teeth through the bracket, the teeth are aligned with the pre-formed dental orthodontic line. It is very important to install the orthodontic bracket in an appropriate position to obtain an ideal treatment effect.

In order to more accurately determine the installation position of the orthodontic bracket, a method called an indirect bonding method has been employed. In the indirect bonding method, a dentist manufactures a positioning guide having the shape of a patient's teeth. A set of orthodontic brackets are releasably attached to this positioning guide. When the patient is ready, apply adhesive to the mating surface of the orthodontic bracket and/or the tooth surface. Then, the positioning guide is placed in the patient's oral cavity and pressed onto the patient's teeth until the adhesive is hardened. Thereafter, the guide for positioning is removed from the oral cavity while the orthodontic bracket remains firmly attached to the tooth surface. Accordingly, the orthodontic bracket is moved from the positioning guide and bonded to the desired position on the tooth surface. A conventional guide for positioning is usually formed only of a flexible polymer material (eg, EVA resin).

Although the existing indirect bonding methods have been suitable for their intended use, these methods have not been entirely satisfactory in all respects. For example, when the positioning guide is moved, a problem may arise that the orthodontic bracket easily deviates from its installation position. Therefore, there is a need for an improved indirect bonding method for facilitating precise and easy positioning of dental orthodontic brackets.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-221235 (Aug. 17, 1999)

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for producing a positioning guide used for bonding an orthodontic bracket to a patient's teeth. The method includes determining and fixing the position of the orthodontic bracket relative to the side of a corresponding tooth of a set-up dental model, wherein the set-up dental model represents the dentition state of the patient's dental arch after orthodontic treatment. includes The method also includes forming a rigid guide structure having a first portion covering a portion of an outer surface of the orthodontic bracket and a second portion covering an occlusal surface of the corresponding tooth of the set-up tooth model, the and wherein the first portion and the second portion of the rigid guide structure are separate. The method also includes connecting the first portion and the second portion of the rigid guide structure to form a flexible connecting structure for obtaining the positioning guide for the orthodontic bracket. The rigid guide structure is not flexible, and the flexible connecting structure is elastic and retains its shape.

In some embodiments, the second portion of the rigid guide structure includes a handle portion thicker than other portions of the second portion. The method comprises the steps of forming a positioning guide unit by transferring a plurality of orthodontic brackets integrated with respective positioning guides to an original tooth model that replicates the dental state of the patient's dental arch prior to orthodontic treatment. additionally include The method also includes engaging a plurality of adjacent positioning guides at the handle portion using at least one retaining portion.

In some embodiments, the at least one retaining portion and the rigid guide structure comprise the same material.

In some embodiments, the rigid guide structure comprises a photopolymerizable material, and forming the rigid guide structure comprises curing the photopolymerizable material with light energy. The photopolymerizable material includes a Duralay resin, a dental tray resin, and the like.

In some embodiments, the flexible connecting structure comprises a photopolymerizable material, and forming the flexible connecting structure comprises curing the photopolymerizable material with light energy. The photopolymerizable material includes ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin and the like.

In some embodiments, the flexible connecting structure is formed on the side surface of the corresponding tooth of the set-up tooth model.

In some embodiments, said second portion of said rigidity guide structure further extends to cover a portion of a second side opposite said side of said corresponding tooth of said set-up tooth model. The flexible connecting structure further includes a portion formed in the second portion on the second side.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises forming a rigid connection structure disposed adjacent the flexible connection structure to connect the first portion and the second portion of the rigid guide structure. The rigid connection structure is harder than the flexible connection structure.

In some embodiments, the rigid connection structure and the rigid guide structure comprise the same material.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a dental appliance is also provided. The dental appliance includes an orthodontic bracket and a positioning guide configured to position the orthodontic bracket on a patient's teeth. The orthodontic bracket has an abutment surface for attachment to teeth. The positioning guide includes a rigid guide structure and a flexible connecting structure. The rigid guide structure includes a first portion and a second portion separated from each other. The first portion is configured to cover a portion of the outer surface of the orthodontic bracket opposite the abutment surface. The second portion has a shape coincident with the occlusal surface of the teeth. The flexible connecting structure is configured to connect the first portion and the second portion of the rigid guide structure. The rigid guide structure is not flexible, and the flexible connecting structure is flexible and remains elastic.

In some embodiments, the second portion of the rigid guide structure includes a handle portion thicker than other portions of the second portion.

In some embodiments, the dental appliance further includes at least one retaining portion configured to integrate a plurality of the orthodontic brackets, a plurality of the positioning guides, and a plurality of adjacent positioning guides in the handle portion. include as

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention may be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description and examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a simplified flowchart of an indirect bonding method according to some embodiments.
2 is a schematic top view of an original dental model and a set up dental model of a patient's dental arch in accordance with some embodiments.
3 is a schematic side view of an orthodontic bracket in accordance with some embodiments.
FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing an orthodontic bracket bonded to the lingual surface of a tooth of the set-up tooth model of FIG. 2 in accordance with some embodiments;
5 is a schematic side view showing the formation of a rigid guide structure composed of two separate parts in accordance with some embodiments.
6 is a schematic side view illustrating the formation of a flexible connecting structure for integrating two portions of a rigid guide structure in accordance with some embodiments.
6A is a schematic side view illustrating a flexible connection structure formed on a lingual surface and a buccal surface of a tooth in accordance with some embodiments.
7 is a schematic side view illustrating the formation of a rigid connection structure for integrating two portions of a rigid guide structure in accordance with some embodiments.
8 is a schematic top view showing the formation of several positioning guide units according to some embodiments.
9 is a schematic side view illustrating the positioning guide removed after the orthodontic bracket is bonded to the patient's actual teeth in accordance with some embodiments.

The following disclosure provides a number of different embodiments or examples for implementing different features of the invention. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to streamline the present disclosure. These examples are, of course, illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. For example, in the description below, forming a first feature over or on a second feature may include embodiments in which the first feature and the second feature are formed in direct contact, Additional features may also be formed between the first and second features, including embodiments in which the first and second features may not be in direct contact.

Also, in the present disclosure, reference numerals and/or letters may be repeatedly used in various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and in itself does not indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. Various features may be arbitrarily drawn to different scales for simplicity and clarity.

In addition, spatially relative terms such as "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. are used for convenience of explanation, It may also be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as shown in a figure.These spatially relative terms are in addition to the orientation shown in the figure. As such, it is intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90° or otherwise oriented), and as used herein Spatially relative descriptors may be interpreted accordingly.

It should be understood that additional steps may be provided before, during, and after the practice of the methods described below, and that some of the described steps may be substituted or excluded in other embodiments of the methods.

An improved embodiment of a method for indirect bonding of an orthodontic bracket is provided. The following embodiment relates in particular to an improved method of producing a positioning guide used to aid in positioning of an orthodontic bracket on each tooth of a patient. The improved method of indirect bonding facilitates precise and easy positioning of the orthodontic bracket. Other advantages will be described later. Some variations of the embodiment are described. Like reference numerals are used for common elements throughout the various figures and exemplary embodiments.

1 is a simplified flowchart of an indirect bonding method 10 in accordance with some embodiments. For purposes of illustration, a flowchart will be described in conjunction with the drawings shown in FIGS. 2 to 9 . In different embodiments, some of the described steps may be substituted or excluded. Optionally, in different embodiments, some steps may be added.

The indirect bonding method 10, as shown in FIG. 2 , includes an original tooth model M1 and a set-up tooth model (or a desired tooth model) of a patient's dental arch (eg, lower or upper dental arch). ) begins with step S1 in which M2 is provided. The original tooth model M1 is a replica of the dental state of the patient's dental arch before orthodontic treatment. For example, the dentist may take an impression of the patient's dental arch and digitally scan the impression, or may directly scan the inside of the patient's mouth. Then, an original tooth model M1 is manufactured from the impression or intraoral scan image using a technique widely known in the art (eg, plaster molding). The set-up tooth model M2 represents the desired dental state of the patient's dental arch after orthodontic treatment. For example, the set-up tooth model M2 may be originally It can be derived from the tooth model M1 of Optionally, a digitally set-up tooth model can be generated by a computer simulation approach, and the set-up tooth model (M2) is manufactured from the digital model using techniques well known in the art (e.g., gypsum molding). do.

Each orthodontic treatment is placed on the set-up tooth model M2 with the desired dental condition. After determining the installation location of the bracket, the orthodontic bracket is installed before the actual orthodontic treatment. It should be understood that the implant is transferred to the patient's actual teeth. Therefore, the installation position of the orthodontic bracket becomes ideal. A set-up tooth model M2 with such a desired dentition state can be used, since, by the indirect bonding method 10 of the embodiment described below, using a guide for positioning, it is attached to the patient's actual teeth. This is because it is possible to accurately duplicate the installation position of the orthodontic bracket determined on the tooth model M2 set up for this purpose.

In some embodiments, a separating material is applied to the set-up tooth model M2 and/or the original tooth model M1 prior to positioning the orthodontic bracket on the tooth model(s). The separator aids in the removal of the orthodontic bracket and other integral components (discussed below) from the tooth model(s). Application of the separator is well known in the art and is therefore not discussed here.

The indirect bonding method 10 is, as shown in FIG. 2 (orthodontic bracket not shown in FIG. 2 for simplicity), an orthodontic arc line W matched with a set of orthodontic brackets is set up. It proceeds to the step (S2) installed on the tooth model (M2). Dental 　 orthodontic line (W) can be fixed in place on the 　 tooth model (M2) set up through the support. In some cases, when each orthodontic bracket is joined to the lingual surface of each tooth of the patient for subsequent actual orthodontic treatment, as shown in FIG. It is placed on the lingual side M21 of the model M2. Although not shown, in some cases, when each orthodontic bracket is joined to the cheek-side surface of each tooth of the patient for subsequent actual orthodontic treatment, the orthodontic line W is connected to the set-up tooth model M2. It is placed on the cheek side (M22) of The orthodontic wire W is resilient (eg, made of shape memory alloy (SMA) or other available metallic material) and is shaped to conform to the set-up tooth model M2. The position of the orthodontic bracket is determined by matching the orthodontic bracket with the fixed orthodontic wire (W).

3 is a schematic side view of an orthodontic bracket B in accordance with some embodiments. According to an embodiment, the orthodontic bracket (B) used includes a body 11 having a central longitudinal groove 12 for receiving an orthodontic arc W (not shown in FIG. 3 for simplicity). include The body 11 further has an upper tie wing and a lower tie wing 14 defining a wire bundle groove 16 . The bracket base 18 is integral with the body 11 and has an abutment surface 20 for bonding the orthodontic bracket B to a tooth surface (eg, a lingual surface or a buccal surface) of a patient's teeth. . While the orthodontic line W is installed on the set-up tooth model M2 in step S2, the abutment surface 20 of each orthodontic bracket B is to be joined, of the set-up tooth model M2. It is placed opposite the tooth surface (eg, the lingual surface or the buccal surface) of the corresponding tooth (see FIG. 4 ). The above-mentioned dental orthodontic bracket (B) is merely an exemplary example, and other types or other-shaped dental orthodontic brackets may also be used. The orthodontic bracket B may be made of or include ceramic, metal or other available material (eg polycarbonate).

The indirect bonding method 10 is, as shown in FIG. 4, the abutment surface 20 of each orthodontic bracket B and the tooth surface of the corresponding tooth T of the set-up tooth model M2 (eg For example, the process proceeds to step S3 in which the space between the lingual surfaces T1) is filled with the pad material 30 . In some embodiments, in order to promote adhesion of the pad material 30 to the abutment surface 20 , the bonding surface 20 of the orthodontic bracket B is coated with a primer layer prior to forming the pad material 30 . (primer layer) 32 . The primer layer 32 may be subjected to a chemical curing process, a light curing process or a dual curing process before the next step.

After the coated primer layer 32 is cured, the pad material 30 is coated over the primer layer 32 between each orthodontic bracket B and the corresponding tooth T of the set-up tooth model M2. fill the space of Then, the coated pad material 30 is hardened, and the orthodontic bracket B is temporarily attached to the tooth surface of the corresponding tooth T, previously coated with a separating material. In this way, the installation position of each orthodontic bracket B on the set-up tooth model M2 (as well as on the patient's actual teeth) is determined. In some embodiments, after the orthodontic bracket (B) is joined to the teeth of the set-up tooth model (M2), the orthodontic arc line (W) is removed.

In some embodiments, the primer layer 32 and the pad material 30 are formed of one or more dental restorative materials. Such dental restorative materials are known in the art and include acrylate resins or methacrylate resins (eg, ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate (EBPADMA); urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) and triethylene glycol). photopolymerizable resins such as dimethacrylate (TEGDMA); polymerization initiators [eg, camphorquinone (CQ)]; polymerization accelerators (eg, ethyl 4-dimethylamino benzoate (EDMAB)); filler particles (eg, silica and glass); and additives (eg, blue light absorbers or ultraviolet absorbers, antioxidants, plasticizers, etc.). Optionally, a glass-ionomer material (based on the reaction of polyalkenic acid with silicate glass powder, which is usually a fluoroaluminosilicate), may be used alone or in combination with the above-mentioned photopolymerizable resins. there is. In some embodiments, in order to fill the space between the mating surface and the tooth surface, the pad material 30 has a higher viscosity than the primer layer 32 . According to another embodiment, the primer layer 32 may also be omitted.

The indirect bonding method 10 proceeds to a step S4 in which a rigid guide structure 40 composed of two separate parts (ie, a part having a gap between each other) is formed, as shown in FIG. 5 . do. The rigid guide structure 40 is a portion of the positioning guide PG (see FIG. 6 ) provided in the present disclosure, used to transfer the orthodontic bracket B to the patient's actual teeth. As used herein, the term “rigid guiding structure” denotes that the structure is not flexible and does not deform during the transfer of the orthodontic bracket (B).

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5 , the formed rigid guide structure 40 is fitted to and covering a portion or the entire outer surface 21 of the orthodontic bracket B (see also FIG. 3 ). It comprises a portion 41 , the outer surface 21 being opposite to the abutment surface 20 . The formed rigidity guide structure 40 further includes a second portion 42 fitted to the occlusal surface T2 of the corresponding tooth T of the set-up tooth model M2 and covering the occlusal surface. According to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , the second part 42 is a part of the tooth surface opposite to the tooth T of the set-up tooth model M2 (eg, the cheek surface T3). It is further extended to cover. With the above configuration, each orthodontic bracket B is secured to each actual tooth of the patient in such a way that only the second portion 42 is fitted to each tooth of the patient so as to cover the occlusal surface, as will be described further below. It can be installed precisely on

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5 , the second portion 42 of the rigid guide structure 40 further includes a handle portion 421 thicker than other portions of the second portion 42 . The handle portion 421 is formed as an extension of the rigid guide structure 40 to facilitate manipulation and provide a convenient area for connecting adjacent rigid guide structures 40, as will be described further below. In some embodiments, the handle portion 421 may have a substantially circular cross-section. However, other cross-sectional shapes may also be used as long as the above-described effects can be achieved.

In some embodiments, the rigid guide structure 40 is formed of or comprises a photopolymerizable material such as Duralay resin, dental tray resin, or other available photopolymerizable resins. In order to form the rigid guide structure 40, a photopolymerizable material in a liquid state is applied to the outer surface 21 of the orthodontic bracket B and the occlusal surface T2 of the corresponding tooth T of the set-up tooth model M2. ) (eg, by injection injection method). Then, the photopolymerizable material is cured by a suitable light energy. Accordingly, both mechanical bonding and chemical bonding of the rigidity guide structure 40 can be achieved. In some examples, the rigid guide structure 40 may be transparent, translucent, or colored.

The indirect bonding method 10 includes a step in which, as shown in FIG. 6 , a flexible connection structure 50 is formed to connect the first portion 41 and the second portion 42 of the rigid guide structure 40 . It proceeds to (S5). The flexible connection structure 50 is also part of the positioning guide PG provided in the present disclosure, which is used to transfer the orthodontic bracket B to the actual teeth of the patient. As used herein, the term "flexible linking structure" indicates that the structure is flexible and remains elastic (eg, flexible linking structure 50 may be bent or deformed under pressure). It may also return to its original shape when the pressure is released]. This helps the formed positioning guide PG to be later removed from the orthodontic bracket B, as will be described further below.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6 , the flexible connection structure 50 is attached to the tooth surface (for example, , formed on the lingual surface T1] and integrated with the first portion 41 and the second portion 42 of the rigid guide structure 40 . In some embodiments, to prevent the subsequently formed flexible connection structure 50 from being integrated with the pad material 30 , a barrier layer ( 52) (see Fig. 6) is formed in advance. Barrier layer 52 may be formed of or include dental wax or silicone to ensure separation.

According to some alternative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6A , the flexible connection structure 50 is set-up teeth of model M2 on the tooth surface opposite the tooth T (eg, the cheek surface T3). A portion formed in one region of the second portion 42 of the rigid guide structure 40 is further provided. That is, the flexible connection structure 50 is formed to contact and fit the tooth surface on the opposite side where the orthodontic bracket B is not provided, in addition to the tooth surface joined to the orthodontic bracket B. With the above configuration, the flexible connection structure 50 enables the positioning guide to be bent at an appropriate position to facilitate the mounting and removal of the patient's actual teeth.

In some embodiments, flexible connection structure 50 is formed of or comprises a photopolymerizable material such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin or other available photopolymerizable resins. To form the flexible connecting structure 50 , a photopolymerizable material in a liquid state is applied to the gap between the first part 41 and the second part 42 of the rigid guide structure 40 and/or the second part 42 ) is applied (eg, by injection injection method) to the pre-formed recess (see Fig. 6a). The photopolymerizable material is then cured by suitable light energy. Accordingly, both mechanical bonding and chemical bonding of the flexible connection structure 50 may be performed. In some examples, flexible connection structure 50 may be transparent, translucent, or colored.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7 , after the flexible connection structure 50 is formed, the rigid connection structure 54 is flexible to improve the structural integrity and strength of the formed positioning guide PG. It is further formed adjacent to the sexual connection structure 50 to connect the first portion 41 and the second portion 42 of the rigid guide structure 40 . The rigid connection structure 54 may be harder than the flexible connection structure 50 . For example, the rigid connection structure 54 and the rigid guide structure 40 may include the same material (eg, Duraray resin). Optionally, the rigid connection structure 54 and the rigid guide structure 40 may comprise similar materials (eg, one comprising Duraray resin and the other comprising dental tray resin). After the rigid connection structure 54 is applied over the flexible connection structure 50 and a portion of the first portion 41 and the second portion 42, the rigid connection structure is cured by suitable light energy.

Through the above operations, the positioning guide PG including at least the rigid guide structure 40 and the flexible connecting structure 50 composed of two separate parts ( FIGS. 6 to 8 ) reference) is formed to be integrated with each orthodontic bracket B temporarily joined to the set-up tooth model M2. Since the tooth surface of each tooth T of the set-up tooth model M2 has been previously coated with a separating material, the individual orthodontic bracket B and the integrated positioning guide PG [as well as the integrated pad material 30] can be easily removed.

In the indirect bonding method 10, as shown in FIG. 8 (orthodontic bracket not shown due to the limited viewing angle), the individual orthodontic bracket and the integrated positioning guide PG are obtained in step S1. It proceeds to step S6 of transferring to the original tooth model M1. Each of the orthodontic brackets and the integrated positioning guides PG are placed on the original tooth model (for example, as shown in FIG. 7 ) in a manner similar to the placement of the set-up tooth model M2 on the teeth. It may be placed or positioned on the teeth of M1). Then, several adjacent individual positioning guides PG are joined at the handle portion 421 of the second part 42 using the holding part 60 to form the positioning guide unit PG'. . The retaining portion 60 may comprise the same material as the rigid guide structure 40 described above, but any other suitable, dense, accurate, non-shrinkable material that can be handled without warping or temperature changes may also include the retaining portion. 60 as well as rigid guide structures 40 and rigid connection structures 54 . For the flexible connection structure 50, any other suitable high strength and high elasticity durable material that fits the shape of the tooth model without bending after molding and distortion after removal may also be used.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8 , three positioning guide units PG′ are formed, one of which covers several incisors of the original tooth model M1, and the other Dogs cover several left teeth, and the other covers several right teeth. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and one or more positioning guide units PG' each composed of any number of positioning guides PG may also be formed as desired. The tooth surface of each tooth of the original tooth model M1 is also coated with a separator in advance to facilitate the removal of the positioning guide unit PG' and the integrated orthodontic bracket B.

The indirect bonding method 10 is, as shown in FIG. 9 , an individual positioning guide unit PG' and an integrated orthodontic bracket B for bonding the actual teeth AT of the patient's corresponding dental arch. It proceeds to the step (S7) transferred to. As described above. Each orthodontic bracket B only fits the second portion 42 of the rigid guide structure 40 to each actual tooth AT of the patient to cover the occlusal surface, as shown in FIG. 9 . It can be accurately installed on the patient's actual teeth (AT). The shape and orientation of the positioning guide PG and the integrated orthodontic bracket B are maintained (due to the rigidity of the rigid guide structure 40) when transferred to the patient's actual teeth, thereby providing precise positioning. . Furthermore, since each positioning guide unit PG' is formed to fit into a plurality of adjacent teeth of the original tooth model M1 replicating the state of the patient's teeth, a set of orthodontic brackets B Higher positioning accuracy is maintained when transferring the 　 to the corresponding real tooth (AT) of the patient. The pad material 30 on the abutment surface 20 of each orthodontic bracket B and/or the tooth surface (eg lingual surface T1) of the corresponding actual tooth AT is previously applied with a bonding adhesive ( not shown) is covered.

In a method of transferring a predetermined bracket position from a tooth model onto an dentition using a positioning guide, a problem of maintaining positional accuracy must be solved. In terms of positioning accuracy, the position in the gingival direction from the occlusal side is more easily maintained than the position in the distal direction from the mesial side. In the case of lingual brackets, adjacent teeth in a tight dentition result in new undercuts that must be addressed in order to properly seat the positioning guide onto the dentition. When the positioning guide has a single structure formed of a flexible material, the positioning guide should mainly extend from the mesial to the distal direction in order to resolve the tight adjacent teeth. However, the elongated guide for positioning may not fully recover its shape, and accordingly, the positioning accuracy may be lost. In order to maintain positional accuracy from the mesial side to the distal side, the present invention provides a method of forming a rigid guide structure, a rigid connection structure, and a rigid structure connecting the holding portion for holding the adjacent positioning guide as a single unit. provides Also, the dentition section can be carefully selected to use a guide unit for positioning with minimal elongation. More specifically, when one positioning guide PG is positioned on the real tooth AT, the rigid guide structure 40 connected to the adjacent positioning guide PG, the rigid connection structure 54, and holding The parts 60 together maintain positional accuracy with respect to the placement of the integrated orthodontic bracket B on the actual teeth AT in the mesial to distal direction, so that EVA or other flexible material is entirely incorporated into the overall structure. Alternatively, it provides an improvement over the conventional positioning guides used primarily.

After bonding the orthodontic bracket (B) to the corresponding real tooth (AT) via bonding adhesive, positioning guide (PG)/positioning guide unit (PG') (as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 9) This can be easily and cleanly removed by being separated from the orthodontic bracket (B) and the actual teeth (AT). The flexible connection structure 50 assists in the removal of the positioning guide PG/positioning guide guide unit PG' by virtue of its flexibility and elasticity. On the other hand, the rigid guide structure 40 exhibiting rigidity is less likely to remain on the orthodontic bracket B and the actual teeth AT. In particular, the shape of the positioning guide PG with the extended handle portion 421 makes handling and operation easier.

In some embodiments, the entire positioning guide unit PG' to which the 　position 　 setting guides PG are connected may be entirely removed. Optionally, individual positioning guides PG are separated by cutting the holding portion 60 (see FIG. 8 ), and then each positioning guide PG can be removed.

In some further embodiments, an orthodontic wire (not shown) is provided for connecting an orthodontic bracket (B) that is rigidly bonded to the patient's actual teeth via the indirect bonding method (10) described above. The orthodontic arch is elastic and preformed to match the set-up tooth model M2. In this way, the 　 orthodontic line applies a force to the teeth through the orthodontic bracket (B) so that the teeth are aligned with the pre-formed shape of the orthodontic line for orthodontic treatment.

As described above, the improved method of indirect bonding provided in the present disclosure facilitates precise and easy positioning of the orthodontic bracket. An ideal orthodontic treatment effect can be achieved because the orthodontic bracket can be installed at an appropriate position on the patient's teeth while no misalignment occurs during the transfer of the positioning guide onto the teeth.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. do. For example, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many of the features, functions, processes, and materials described herein may be modified while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the specific examples of the processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, and steps described herein. As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of this disclosure, existing or later developed processes, machines, which perform substantially the same functions or achieve substantially the same results as the corresponding embodiments described herein, Manufacture, composition of matter, means, method or step may be utilized in accordance with the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, method or step. Further, each claim constitutes a separate embodiment, and combinations of various claims and embodiments are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims (14)

A method of producing a positioning guide used for bonding an orthodontic bracket to a patient's teeth, the method comprising:
determining and fixing the position of the orthodontic bracket with respect to the side of the corresponding tooth of a set-up dental model, wherein the set-up dental model represents the dental state of the patient's dental arch after orthodontic treatment phosphorus step;
forming a rigid guide structure having a first portion covering a portion of an outer surface of the orthodontic bracket and a second portion covering an occlusal surface of the corresponding tooth of the set-up tooth model, wherein the rigid guide structure wherein the first part and the second part are separate;
connecting the first portion and the second portion of the rigid guide structure to form a flexible connecting structure for obtaining the positioning guide for the orthodontic bracket;
includes,
wherein the rigid guide structure is not flexible and the flexible connecting structure is resilient and maintains its shape. The method of claim 1,
The second portion of the rigid guide structure includes a handle portion thicker than other portions of the second portion,
The method is
A plurality of orthodontic brackets each having individual positioning guides integrated therein is transferred to an original dental model replicating the dental state of the patient's dental arch, and a plurality of adjacent positioning guides are used using at least one retaining portion. By combining in the handle portion, forming a guide unit for positioning
A method of producing a positioning guide used for bonding an orthodontic bracket to a patient's teeth, further comprising: 3. The method of claim 2,
wherein said at least one retaining portion and said rigid guide structure comprise the same material. The method of claim 1,
wherein the rigid guide structure comprises a photopolymerizable material, and wherein forming the rigid guide structure comprises curing the photopolymerizable material with light energy. How to produce guides for positioning used. 5. The method of claim 4,
wherein the photopolymerizable material comprises Duralay resin or dental tray resin. The method of claim 1,
wherein the flexible connecting structure comprises a photopolymerizable material and forming the flexible connecting structure comprises curing the photopolymerizable material with light energy. How to produce a guide for positioning used to 7. The method of claim 6,
wherein said photopolymerizable material that is flexible comprises ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin. The method of claim 1,
wherein the flexible connecting structure is formed on the side of the corresponding tooth of the set-up tooth model. 9. The method of claim 8,
said second portion of said rigid guide structure also extends to cover a portion of a second side opposite said side of said corresponding tooth of said set-up tooth model;
and the flexible connecting structure further includes a portion formed in the second portion on the second side. The method of claim 1,
forming a rigid connection structure disposed adjacent the flexible connection structure to connect the first portion and the second portion of the rigid guide structure;
It further includes
wherein the rigid connection structure is harder than the flexible connection structure. 11. The method of claim 10,
wherein the rigid connection structure and the rigid guide structure comprise the same material. A dental appliance comprising:
an orthodontic bracket having an abutment surface for attachment to a patient's teeth;
a positioning guide configured to position the orthodontic bracket on a patient's teeth
including,
The guide for positioning,
A rigid guide structure comprising a first portion and a second portion separated from each other, wherein the first portion is configured to cover a portion of an outer surface of the orthodontic bracket opposite the abutment surface, the second portion comprising the A rigid guide structure that has a shape consistent with the occlusal surface of the teeth;
a flexible connecting structure configured to connect the first portion and the second portion of the rigid guide structure
includes,
wherein the rigid guide structure is not flexible and the flexible connecting structure is resilient and maintains its shape. 13. The method of claim 12,
The second portion of the rigid guide structure comprises a handle portion thicker than the other portions of the second portion. 14. The method of claim 13,
a plurality of said orthodontic brackets;
a plurality of guides for positioning;
at least one retaining portion configured to integrate a plurality of adjacent positioning guides in the handle portion
A dental appliance further comprising a.

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